There is very little known about the natural cause of Crohn’s disease because all patients either undergo standard medical care or seek alternative therapy. There is one exception however and that is patients in clinical trials assigned to placebo groups. (1-3) Be that as it may, even these patients do not represent the natural course of the disease since they are seen by doctors and other healthcare providers. In order to properly evaluate therapies for Crohn’s disease we must better understand its natural history.

Crohn’s disease occurs at the rate of two new cases per every 100,000, while the total number is estimated to be 20 to 40 per 100,000. In Western cultures the rate of Crohn’s disease is increasing, possible culprits: Antibiotic use and diet.

Females get it slightly more than males, Caucasians are developing this disease two to four times more often than people of African or Asian descent, while incidence amongst Jewish people is three to 6 times higher than non-jewish people.

While there has as of yet no genetic marker been found for IBD disease. IBD occurs two to four times more in Caucasians, is four times more common in the Jewish population and in 15% (fifteen percent) to 40% (forty percent) of all cases multiple members of a family are affected by Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Infectious Agents:

There are many microorganisms which qualify for as potential culprits for IBD, but this possibility is still being debated. To mention some viruses suspected of causing this disease: rotavirus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and mycobacterium. Possible other organisms are thought to be; pseudomonas-like organisms such as chlamydia and Yersinia enterocolitica.

Antibiotic Exposure (1)

Prior to the 1950s, Crohn’s disease was only found in isolated groups. Evidence for a strong genetic compound. Penicillin and tetracycline have been available in oral form since 1953. The annual increase of Crohn’s disease directly correlates to the annual increase of antibiotic prescription. Statistics have shown whenever antibiotics are used very early and in great quantities, the occurrence of Crohn’s disease becomes very high. Coupled with the fact that since the 50s Crohn’s disease has spread like an epidemic, especially in countries like the United States and in countries previously having virtually no cases of Crohn’s, could one blame antibiotics?

Tomorrow I’ll continue with additional causes thought to lead to IBD. Immune System Abnormality, Dietary Factors and other Miscellaneous Factors.

This is a general term for a a series of chronic inflammatory disorders of the intestine. There are two major categories: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. IBD is characterized by repeated inflammation of particular segments of the intestine manifested with diverse symptoms.

Crohn’s disease is distinguished by an inflammatory reaction in every part of the diameter of the bowel wall. In about 40% (forty percent) of cases the granulomas (inflammatory lesions) are not present at all or abysmally developed. Crohn et al limited the disease segments in 1932 to the ileum, the last portion of the small intestine.

It is worthwhile noticing that the same granulomatous activity may involve oral mucosa, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and the colon. If the small intestine is affected it may be called regional enteritis. If the colon is involved Crohn’s disease might be called granulomatous colitis.

Ulcerative Colitis

This involves a non-specific inflammatory response, mostly restricted to the lining of the colon. Both diseases share many features like: (1)

1. The colon is frequently involved in Crohn’s disease and is invariably involved in ulcerative colitis.

2. Although rare, patients with ulcerative colitis who have total colon involvement may develop a so called backwash ileitis. Thus, both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis may cause changes in the small intestine.

3. Patients with Crohn’s disease often have close relatives with ulcerative colitis, and vice versa.

4. When there is no granulomatous reaction in Crohn’s disease of the colon, the two lesions may resemble each other in both the clinical picture and the biopsy result.

5. The many epidemiological similarities between the two diseases include sex, age, race, and geographic distribution.

6. Both conditions are associated with similar manifestation outside the gastrointestinal tract (extra-intestinal).

7. The causative factors appear to be parallel for the two conditions.

8. Both conditions are associated with an increased frequency of colonic carcinoma.

Tomorrow I will continue with common causes of these diseases.

In the meantime increase your High- Complex Carbohydrate and fiber intake. Stay away from wheat bran, since there is a correlation between high intolerance of wheat in IBD patients. All this will be covered in subsequent posts this week.

The other day, at work, one of the waiters shows up and asked me what he could do about a strain he had just gotten from playing hoops. Obviously I can not give any medical advise, but researching the above mentioned sports injuries all have one thing in common. These commonalities I shall list below.

First an explanation:

What are the causes?
Tendinitis and bursitis can be caused by an abrupt tension of a tendon or bursae, resulting in a sprain or strain. Much like making quick changes of direction on a basketball court. Contracting a muscle repeatedly to exhaustion could result in a similar injury. Tendinitis can also develop if the bones in which the tendon moves develop spurs inhibiting the movement of the tendon. The most important preventative measures one can take are proper warm-up and stretching before strenuous exercise.

Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon. Most common areas of injury would be the Calcaneal (Achilles) tendon, the biceps brachii, pollicis brevis and longus of the thumb, patella (knee), tibial posterior (inside the foot), rotator cuff (shoulder).

Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursae. The bursae are sacs with a membrane lining which can be found in between connective tissue between tendons, ligaments, and bones. Inflammation may result from trauma, strain, infection, or arthritis. The most common locations are shoulder, elbow, hip, and the subcutaneous bursae of the knee (the section of the knee my friend pointed too).

If the injury is serious (like when experiencing excruciating pain) the advice of a physician should be sought immediately. Loss of function, or the injury persists for more than two weeks are other signs to make a stroll to a physician.

Treatment of such injuries involves a couple of phases.
1. Inhibition of further inflammation and protection of injured areas.
2. Promotion of healing after the acute phase.

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About Werner Absenger

Werner is the founder of the Absenger Cancer Education Foundation (ACEF) a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization. He helps empower and improve the quality of life of West Michigan’s cancer survivors, their loved ones, caregivers, and people living with chronic disease. This goal is accomplished through research, education, and integration of evidence-based nutrition and mind-body modalities. Continue reading...

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